Ignition system



Dec. 14, 1948.

E. F. WARGIN ET AL IGNITION SYSTEM Filed Feb. 27, 1947 Inventors: Edward F; Wargin, Joseph RJ-jarkness Donald vCZ. Peroutky;

Their AttOT may.

Patented Dec. 14, 1948 UNITED TATES PATENT oFwcE Sc'heneo'tady, N. Y., assignors to (General Electflc Company, a corporatinniof New .York

r 3I3'Clalims.

.1 v This invention relates to :ignition :systems 1or sintemarcombustion engines and .-m01'e particularly to ignition systems of :the type wherein the electrical mower issupplied by 12. ma neto igenerator. v

LMagneto generators of the type now in {general use are provided -with breaker switch "mech :anisms which periodically openand close the magneto primary :coil, -cir.cuit.v This action of :the breaker switchcauses a high rate of change of magnetic flux threading the v.im'igneto coil which results 'in :a high induced voltage in the coil necessarytc? fire the spark; 1 plugs, which action is :pamsicularlw iimportant -at low operating Speeds when the irate of "magnetic flux change =:due :to the generator faction alone is :relatively slow. lThese breaker mechanisms are difliciilt .to adjust or jproper timing and are a source of muohiignitizomtrnuble. .It'has long been realized that it would highly advantageous 'to eliminate *the brea-ker mechanism and simply -reiy on the magnetic flux change .inherent in operation of the magneto [generator to produce the .necesdiary voltage inthe magneto coil. Previous .atitempts to do tthis, however, have not been Qvery nucoessiul :because of the fact that a bunkeril'ess magneto {generator iin'herently .produces a 'vdltage' which varies approximately with-the mags mete speed. Because of ithis fact, the .required enerating voltage at .low engine :speed could not be obtained without paying :-a sprohibitiveipenalty sin terms rof'weight-lof magnetic material or numiber-io'f:magnetocoileturns required. For this reason :breakerless magnetm-systemshave :not theretoiore 'been fable to compete @favonahly with the 3 conventional breaker type.

object ::of the present invention-4s to -pro vide a :new and --improv.ed ignition system .ifior -internal zconibustion engines.

another :object :is to mrovide an ,limproved .ig- 'nition .system :which is well adapted :for use with a brearkerless :type-of'magneto and" which "will aprowide the required rop'erath'ig avoltage fatrlow npcrating-speed without requiring the magneto/gennmtorztoibezof excessive size or weight.

ifunther object is to,;provide an improved system which is simple-inconstruction, :iightin weighhweasy toservice-and -malintainfiand whichiis'easily adapted to many 'applioations withmntJ-major design changes.

iFmtther :objects and advantages rof zonrcimlention will \become better understood .Ifrom :the dolflowing description '5 referring to athe YECOOIIIPBI18- ling 'dmwmg, and the Jfeatmfes bfinovalty which :nmanterize our invention will; he .agsoimed out 2 with particularity in lthe claims annexed to and forming ;a part .0f the specification.

.In the drawingrFig. :1 iillustrateszsomevdhatiiiagrammatically z'an a-ignition :system embodying .the 5 ipresent invention which is arranged, ior exem- 1-p1ary punposes, to provide single :ignition .for an internal -combustionengine having '28 cylinders.

Fig. 2 of the dnawingillustrates how va rsitem of .1 team bemodified by a sim ileschange to provide -dual ignition -for anengine having .1?! cylinders. '2 a of the drawing also illustrates the position of the magnetoigenerator. rotor after .it has .rotated counterclockwise ran angiilar disitance equal to the width .of a stator tooth iirom :the position shown fin'Fig. '1.

iRefemxing now to the drawing there .is an ignition system nf lthellow tension, high fre- .quency type wherein \the electrical ,power is sup- ,nliedihyta magneto generator of the'lbreaker'less 520 typeeiiflioatedgeneraHy at 1.. The'ma'gneto 'gen- JBI'SltOl Ilisof the sowalHedIinductor'type anticomtprises a .rotary .memher T2 mounted on 'a drive shaft '3. The rotor 2 is .formed of magnetirma- 'terial and is ipre'ferably .QI laminated construc- 5410111, the rotor being Iprovided with a. iiilura'ility n'f; icircumiereritially-spac'ed, salient -teeth '4. Ex- }tenflin'g around the rotor member 2 is a stator member comprising .four, spaced, 'arcuate iptile :fiiBCBS 56,71, and '8 which "are ltorm'e'd of mag- @gomneticimaterial and which arepreteralfly'df lamivmalted construction. Each stator fp'ole piece is jprov'ided withia :filura'lity ofinwarilly extending projections or'teeth 9 which zcooperatewith'the rotor-teeth 4 in establishing difierent 'low 71'8- iluctance magnetic circuit paths'through therdtor and the stator 'pdle pieces as will "be "subsequently further described.

The. magneto I is provided "with two "output vcoils TD and ill which are carried, respectively, .on the magnetic core members f2 and 13. .As illustrated lin the drawing, the core 'memberffl is arranged magnetically to interconnect the statoripdle ,pieces 15 and-B while the core member in is earranged magnetically lto interconnect "the 145 stator.ipole ,pieces I and 8, th'e cbre'.menibers l2 and ...I3 ibeing .located .on diametrically 'cmpos'iite :sides of the magneto .s'taltor.

.Eor ithe purpose ,of, providing .a .source of. maginetic Jfiux whic'hiis periodically Ziirec'ted through theeoretmembers 12 and Ql 3km opp siteiiiredtions upon -.rotation of the rotorniem'her lit-here are provided two ,permanent -magnets ll .an'd I5 Jocated-onidiametiiicallly opp te .o'f Lthe .s'tastor 1A5 5hOWI1 the ipermanent fill lis tin- ,455 ranged so that its polar extremitiesabu't thetads 3 Jacent ends of the stator pole pieces 5 and 8 and thereby forms a magnetic link between the two pole pieces. Also as shown the permanent magnet l5 is similarly arranged with its polar extremities abutting the adjacent ends of the stator pole pieces 6 and I. This magnet also acts as a magnetic link interconnecting these two hole pieces.

When the rotor 2 of the magneto rotates the magnetic flux of the permanent magnets l4 and I5 is caused first to pass through the core members l2 and I3 in one direction and then to be rapidly changed or switched so as to flow through the core members in the reverse direction, this alternate and rapid flux switching causing high induced voltages in the magneto output coils l and II. This flux switching action of the magneto generator may more easily be understood by a consideration of the low reluctance magnetic flux paths when the generator rotor is in each of two different positions indicated respectively in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing. When the rotor 2 is in the position indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing, the rotor teeth 4 lie opposite the stator teeth of pole pieces 6 and 8 so that a low reluctance path is established interconnecting these two pole pieces diametrically across the rotor. At this time the rotor teeth and the inwardly extending teeth of pole pieces and l are out of registration so that the flux path between these two pole pieces extending diametrically across the rotor is of relatively high reluctance. With the rotor of the generator in the position shown in Fig. 1, two low reluctance magnetic circuit paths are established, one of which may be traced as follows: The north pole of magnet l4, stator pole piece 5, core member I2, stator pole piece 8, diametrically across rotor 2, pole piece 8 and back to the south pole of magnet 14. The other path established may be traced as follows: North pole of magnet l5, stator pole piece 5, diametrically across rotor member 2, stator pole piece 8, core member I3, and stator pole piece I and back to the south pole of permanent magnet l5.

, When the rotor member 2 of the magneto generator rotates counterclockwise an angular amount equal to the width of a stator tooth from the position shown in Fig. 1, it occupies the position shown in Fig. 2. Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the rotor member 2 now establishes a low reluctance magnetic circuit path extending diametrically across rotor 2 between the pole pieces 5 and 1. At this time the rotor teeth 4, .lying opposite the stator pole pieces 6 and 8, are out of registration with the stator teeth 9 so that the reluctance of the magnetic circuit path extending diametrically across the rotor between the stator pole pieces 6 and 8 is relatively high. With the magneto rotor in the position shown in Fig. 2 it will be noted that there are now two low reluctance magnetic paths whereby the magnetic flux of the permanent magnets I4 and I5 threads the core members l2 and I3 in the opposite direction from that shown in Fig, 1. One of these magnetic circuit paths may be traced as follows: The north pole of permanent magnet l4, stator pole piece 5, diametrically across rotor member 2, stator pole piece I, core member I3, and stator pole piece 8 back to the south pole of permanent magnet I l. The other path may be traced as follows: The north pole of magnet l-5, stator pole piece 6, core member l2, stator pole piece 5, diametrically across rotor member 2, the stator pole piece I back to the south pole of permanent magnet II.

In view of the above described explanation, it is believed that it will now be clear that as the rotor member 2 rotates, the magnetic flux of the permanent magnets l4 and I5 is alternately switched through the core members l2 and I3 in opposite directions to cause induced voltages in the coils l0 and H of alternating polarity. In order that the voltages induced in the magneto coils l0 and Il may be as high as possible, the magneto rotor and stator teeth are so designed as to cause a very rapid change in the magnetic flux threading the core members I i and [2, while the generator rotor member 2 is rotating between the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing. In order to accomplish this the stator teeth 9 are, as shown, made very narrow so that their width is appreciably less than the width of the rotor teeth 4. While the expedient of making the stator teeth 9 narrow is desirable from the standpoint of obtaining a rapid flux change, it has the disadvantage that it reduces the cross-sectional area of the stator tooth for an axial length of the tooth of any given value. The amount of magnetic energy required to be stored in the magnetic circuit of the magneto for each impulse determines the cross-sectional area of the stator teeth and therefore in the conventional single-tooth stator construction this results in unduly long stator teeth which is undesirable from the size standpoint. In the present arrangement this difiiculty is obviated by utilizing a plurality of parallel stator teeth on each pole piece so as to provide a plurality of parallel flux paths. Thus it will be noted that in the illustrated arrangement each of the stator pole pieces 5, 6, I and 8 is provided with four inwardly extending stator teeth 9. This arrangement permits the required amount of pole piece cross-sectional area to conduct the required amount of magnetic flux without necessitating an undesirably long stator tooth. Obviously more or less than four stator teeth per pole piece can be used, depending upon me design considerations involved.

While the use of narrow stator teeth in the magneto generator descrived above results in a very considerable increase in the voltage output or the coils I0 and II, the output voltage still varies as a function of rotor speed which is disadvantageous as pointed out above where it is desired to eliminate the breaker mechanism and still obtain suflicient voltage to fire spark plugs at the minimum required operating speed. In order to overcome this difficulty without the need for utilizing an excessively large magnetic structure and without using an excessively large number of turns of wire in the magneto output coil, there is provided in accordance with this invention an arrangement whereby energy from successive impulses of the magneto may be stored in a plurality of series connected condensers which are arranged to be periodically discharged through a distributor in a series additive manner.

Referring now to the details of the ignition distribution arrangement, and more particularly to the distribution arrangement associated with the magneto output coil in, it will be noted that there is provided a pair of series connected storage condensers I6 and I1 having a common terminal I8 which is connected to one of the output leads 19 of magneto coil Ill. The remaining terminal 20 of the condenser I6 is connected to the other coil lead 2| through a half-wave rectifier 22 as shown. The remaining terminal 23 of the condenser I1 is also connected to the coil lead 2| through a parallel circuit including another half-wave rectifier 24. "The magnetic and-electrical polarities areso selected in conriection' with the current conducting directions of the rectifiers 22 and 24 such that when the output of coil is of one polarity, one of the condensers, say condenser I6, is charged in the direction indicated, for example, by the polarity marks on the drawing. Due to the action of the rectifiers '22 and 24, the next succeeding voltage impulse of opposite polarity from the coil I 0 causes the condenser I! to be charged with the polarity as indicated on the drawing while the charge in the condenser I6 is held. It will be noted that the polarities of the condensers l6 and I! when charged are such that they are series aiding or additive, that is, the voltage across the terminals 20 and 23 when the condensers are fully charged is substantially greater than across either condenser alone and may be approximately twice as great for the illustrated case where two condensers are used. In order to utilize this voltage cascading arrangement advantageously, a circuit arrangement is provided whereby the voltage across the terminals 20 and 23. is periodically applied by a distributor to various ignition circuits to fire spark plugs associated therewith. To this end the terminal 20 is grounded as indicated and the terminal 23 is connected through the lead 25 to a rotary distributor indicated generally at 26. The distributor 26 is shown as comprising a plurality of stationary electrodes 21 which are arranged in a circular pattern. Cooperating with the stationary electrodes 21 is a rotary electrode or distributor finger 28 which may be conveniently mounted on shaft 3 as shown, so as to be rotated in synchronism with the rotor member 2 of the magneto generator. The lead 25 is connected to the distributor finger 28 through a slip ring arrangement 29 of conventional construction.

The ignition circuits illustrated are of the socalled low tension, high frequency type. For the purpose of simplicity, only one such circuit is illustrated in the drawing as associated with each distributor but it willbe understood that in actual practice there. will be a separate ignition circuit; and associated spark plug connected to each of the distributor electrodes.

The ignition circuit shown in connection with distributor 26 comprises a step-up transformer 30 having a primary or low voltage winding 3| and a secondary or high voltage winding 32. The secondary winding 32 of the step-up transformer is connected to energize a spark plug 33 while theprimary winding 3| is arranged to be periodically connected by the distributor 26 to be energized by the series-connected condensers l6 and H. In ignition systems of this type a spark gap is used to initiate a high-frequency oscillatory discharge in the primary circuit of the step-up transformer 30 and in the illustrated arrangement the distributor used is a so-called air-gap type so that the'required spark discharge takes place between the rotary distributor finger 28, and associated electrodes. Thus as the distributor finger 28 rotates it approaches to within arcing distance of the electrodes 21 but does not actually contact the electrodes. An advantage of this type of ignition circuit lies in the fact that the distributor voltage may be of relatively low magnitude, for example, on the order of 3 kilovolts while the high voltage applied to the spark plug 33 which, for example, may be of the order of 18 kilovolts, is confined to the spark plug ngina sseneeri wind n th e 1 ra s.-

former 30. In order to eliminatecoronaloss to the surrounding atmosphere" and; step-up transformer 30 may be advantageously hermetically sealed 'in the spark plug, as will be well understood by those skilled in the art.

In ignition systems designed for radial engines there must be provided compens'ationfor timing irregularities which occur due to the use of articulated piston rods. In conventional ignition systems of the breakertype this compensation is usually provided by properly selecting the angular relation of the cam lobes used to operate the breaker switch. In the present'breakerless' system some other method must be used. Such timing compensation can be conveniently obtained in the present system by an appropriate circumferential spacing of the distributor electrodes. electrodes provided for such compensation is, however, a relatively slight departure from a symmetrical arrangement and does not appreciably affect the two-pulse chargingcycle of the series connected storage condensers. 1

In order to provide positive on-offcontrol of the magneto, a small primarywinding (not shown) may be provided on each of the-core members l2 and I3. With such an arrangement the magneto can be renderedinactive ina positive manner by simply providing a suitable switching arrangement to short the primary windings to prevent rapid fluctuations of the core flux.

The construction of the magneto generator I is such that it lends itself advantageously to" the dual ignition arrangement illustrated wherein separate distribution circuits are associated with each of the two output coils ln'and II, the dis-' tribution circuit associated with the output coil l0 having been described above. In-order' to utilize advantageously the output of the secondary magneto coil ll, there is provided an'' other ignition distribution system which may be,

as shown, the same as that already desc'ribed'in connection with the magneto output coil- [0. Parts of the second distribution system corresponding to those already described have beengiven the corresponding reference numerals-except that the numerals have been primedinorder to differentiate between the systems. 'Aswi1l be more fully described the dual distribution'arrangement has the advantage that by initially adjusting the position of the distributor fingers 28 and 28 the same apparatus may be used to provide dual ignition for an engine'having n cylinders or single ignition for an enginehaving' 2n cylinders. L G U V In order to clarify the description of operation of our improved ignition system by a concrete.

example, there is illustrated asystem which,

when adjusted as shown in Fig; 1", will provide single ignition for an'intern'al combustion engine having 28 cylinders and when adjusted as shown. in Fig. 2 will provide dual ignition for an engine having 14 cylinders. In the system illustrated the rotor 2 of the magneto'generator is provided with 14 rotor teethand each of the distributors .is'

provided with 14 stationary electrodes,making? r total of 28 which are connected to 28'separate' ignition circuits. With this arrangement the shaft 3 which drives the. magneto generator rotor and the distributor fingers 28 and 28"f mayib e conveniently connected to the internal combustion engine so as to operate at one-half engine crankshaft speed. The characteristic 'of' the ma neto, ener tes i catamaran The non-symmetrical spacing of the Masks: of impulses of alternating. polarity lixieachvot the .coilsilu and 1 [equal to time thatnumhar otrotor teeth .for each revolnticmmt therotor shalt.

altnrmtepolarity induced in each of the coils and: lllorseaclr revoiution-ot-the drive shaft ;3. mulntngthe electrodes 21' and 21' toabev approximm'ewbhysmedsit will also be clear that thwmuokonlcnerator will producetwo voltageat drive shaft 3, the magneto generator. isdeliventwo impulses per charging cycle to BfifihwDB-il'; ot-storage condensers l5, l1 and 146i. andjl'. With this timing arrangement tbeimlesconmicted storagecondensers areready Ion; discharge-through an ignition circuit each tfl' mmdistributor finger moves opposite astationary electrode Imtho. arrangement shown: in Fig. 1 the disilibutomcflnlersla; and 28' are staggered, as showman thatywhen the finger 28. is opposite-an elfllfilodo. 21, in distributor 26, the distributor flnlnr I8 01- the distributorlfilies approximately mdlwagbotwcen twoof the electrodes 21. With this arrangement it will be clear that all the=28 igfltifill circuits energized. from the distributors will be fired in sequence so that the system may be utllizedtoprovide the single ignition for an engine hallinl.;28.-cylinders.

out if; it is desired to provide. instead dial. ignition {on an. engine having. 14 cylinders this. can be accomplished by a simple adjustmantloteitharlot thedistributor fingers on. the,

madman to the flexibility afforded by the dual distribution: arrangement described above, theibteakeriess ignition system disclosed herein has. other marked advantages of equalor greater importance. Thus due totheiact that the series connected condensers, such as [6 and I1, produce mil-wave. discharge voltagewhich is considerablyilamer than. the voltage of each magneto immflse, adequate operating voltage is obtained atminimum operating speed without using the conventional. breaker. mechanism or without using, a. magneto generator which is undesirably 1818c... Stated inanothler. way, the ignition circuit oiv this invention. makes possible the use of abreakerlessmtype 0i magneto wherein the magneto enerator is no larger, and in some cases is smaller, than the .magneto now used with a. breaker type of system.

Another advantage ,of the. voltage-multiplying arrangement 'of' the series-connected condensers lathe, fact that thefloutput voltage of the magneto coils needs only to be a iractional part of the distributor voltage which results in a substantial 837m: inxthe insulation requirements for the coil iltiirmther advantage or the present system Thusin the illustrated arrangement there-will bel28; voltage impulses of With the illustrated 185121135 :it .permits ,a greatly ,Sifl'lPhfiCdiIfifiChW. and electrical constructi0n.; Thus the magnetu. rotor andsthe distributor fingers maybelmountod. on a lcommonsdrive shaft so that theapparatll has only one movingpart and, or. course, the conventional trouble-making breaker mechanism. is weightor operating; speed range. Since more than onezmagneto impulse is used per spark dis charge, it is possible to drive the magneto rotcm and; distributors 'at one-half engine crankshalt speed regardless of whether the engine has an even or oddmumberof cylinders;

Advantages arising-from the useof series-com.- densers connected in additive or: aiding relatima which .are sequentially charged by consecutivm magneto inpulses are; obtained regardless 01:

whether or notthecondensers are ofthe sanm size. However; we have found las a result .0! extensivetests, that, improved results can boob-.- tained if the capacities of the condensersof each set are selected in the ratio of approximately t to 1, the condensers-being so arranged "thal'lithfi condenser first to' be charged inqeach', chartinu cycle has the larger capacity; With thislare rangement the first condenser is charged: tow lower voltagezso there is less leakage loss throuihl the rectifier while thesecond condensenisbeing; charged- Also the second. condenser charge! more rapidly so. that. a full: charge is inauredbe-s fore the distributor finger: arrives within :arciml distanceof the electrode throughtwhichcthe sub sequent dischargetakes-place.

It should be clearly understood'that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated :nr.- rangement wherein two series condensers are sequentially charged in atwo-impulsewhargirm cycle. Obviously more impulses pen-5 charginm cycle'may be used if desired without .departinm from ourinvention. The system'can, of course, be designed; for-engines havin anynumber, of cylinders by proper correlation. of the numberotl magneto. impulses per revolution with; the number of distributor electrodes. The only lirnitatiollli is that'where the number of engine acyiinderaia odd, the numberof charging impulsespericharge ing cycle must be even in. orderto obtainthn. advantage of driving the distributor and magnet. rotor at the samespeedi The reason for this is the fact that the magneto inherently produces an: even number of impulses.perrevolutionu While our -inventi0n is well adapted. for use with an ignition system ofl the low-tension; high frcquencytypa its use is not necessarily-limited thereto. Thus for some applications the electrodes of thedistributor may be connectedldi rectly to the spark plugs, thereby eliminating the spark plug transformer. In such casea contact type of distributor may be used.-

We do not claim broadly in this patent an an rangement wherein-two or more-magneto inn-- pulses are used cumulatively to charge condenser storage means prior to discharge, as this subject matter is claimed in a copending application Serial No. 728,370, filed in the names of Edward- F. Wargin and Arthur W. Robinson,; Jr., which applicationis assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. We do, however, claim. the illustrated arrangement wherein the'condenser storage means is in theform of a plurality of separate condensers connected in series additive relation.

Although we have shown and described particular embodiments of our invention, we do not desire to be limited tothe particular embodi completely eliminated without sacriflcinl 9 ments described, and we intend .in the appended claims. to cover all modifications which do not departfrom the spirit and scope of our invention. "What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an ignition system, a generator for producing periodic voltage impulses, voltage doubler type circuit'means including a plurality of condensers connected series aiding, whereby a voltage impulse from said generator charges one of said condensers and a later voltage impulse from said generator charges another of said con,- densers, and discharging means arranged to simultaneously discharge said series connected condensers through ignition apparatus, said generator and said discharging means being synchronized and correlated so that each of said condensers receives a charging impulse from said generator prior to discharge through said ignition apparatus. 7

2. In an ignition system, a generator for producing voltage impulses of alternating polarity, a plurality of condensers connectedseries aiding, circuit means including rectifiers interconnecting said condensers and said generator in such a manner that a voltage impulse from said generator of one polarity charges one of said condensers and the voltage impulse of the opposite polarity charges another of saidv condensers, means for connecting said condensers in series so that the charges thereon are additive, and a distributor arranged to simultaneously discharge said series connected condensers, said generator and said distributor being synchronized and correlated so that each of said condensers receives a charging impulse from said generator prior to said discharge by said distributor.

3. An ignition system adapted to be energized from a magneto generator of the type which produces successive voltage impulses comprising a plurality of condensers connected series aiding, rectifier means connecting said condensers to be sequentially charged by successive voltage impulses from said generator, and a distributor arranged to simultaneously discharge said series connected condensers through ignition apparatus, said generator and said distributor being synchronized and correlated so that each of said condensers receives a charging impulse from said generator prior to discharge through said distributor.

4. An ignition system comprising a magneto having a rotatable member and an output coil which produces successive voltage impulses upon rotation of said rotatable member, a pair of condensers connected series aiding, selective charging circuit means connecting said condensers to said coil so that a voltage impulse charges one of said condensers and 'a subsequent impulse charges another of said condensers while the charge on said first condenser is maintained, and a distributor arranged to simultaneously discharge said series connected condensers through ignition apparatus, said rotatable member in said distributor being synchronized and correlated so that each of said condensers receives a charging impulse from said output coil prior to discharge through said distributor.

5. An ignition system comprising a magneto having a rotatable member and an output coil which produces successive voltage impulses of alternating polarity upon rotation of said rotatable member, a pair of condensers connected series aiding, circuit means including rectifiers for connecting said condensers to said coil so that 1-0 a voltage impulse of one polarity charges one of said condensers and a voltage impulse of the opposite polarity charges the other of said condensers, and a distributor arranged to simultaneously discharge said series connected condensers through ignition apparatus, said rotatable member and said distributor being synchronized and correlated so that each of said condensers receives a charging impulse from said output coil prior to said discharge through said distributor;

6. An ignition system adapted to be energized by a magneto generator having an output coil in which voltages of alternating polarity are induced, a pair of series connected condensers having a common connection, means for connecting said common connection to one terminal of said output coil, circuit means providing two parallel paths connecting the other condenser connections to the other terminal of said output coil, each of said parallel paths including a rectifier so connected that consecutive magneto coil voltage impulses of opposite polarity cause first one condenser to charge and then the other, and a distributor arranged to simultaneously dis-,- charge the voltage across said series connected condensers through ignition apparatus comprising spark plug means, said generator and said distributor being synchronized and correlated so that each of said condensers receives a charging impulse from said output coil prior to dis charge through said distributor.

'7. An ignition system adapted to be energized by a magneto generator having an output coil in which voltages of alternating polarity are induced, a pair of series connected condensers having a common connection, circuit means for connecting said common connection to one terminal of said output coil, circuit means provid ing two parallel paths connecting the other condenser connections to the other terminal of said output coil, each of said parallel paths including a rectifier so connected that consecutive magneto coil voltage impulses of opposite polarity cause first one condenser to charge and then the other, said condensers having different capacities being arranged so that the condenser havingthe greater capacity is the first to charge, and a distributor synchronized with said generator and arrangedto simultaneously discharge the voltage across. said two series connected condensersrthrough ig-'-' nition apparatus to cause firing of spark plug means associated therewith, said discharge occurring only after each of said condensers has receivedcharging impulse from said output coil; 7

8. An ignition system comprising a breakerless magneto of the inductor type having an output coil in which voltages of alternating polarity are induced, a pair of series connected condensers, circuit means including rectifiers interconnecting said condensers and said output coil in such a manner that consecutive output coil voltages of alternating polarity cause sequential charging of said condensers whereby the voltage across said series connected condensers when charged is greater than the voltage induced in said output coil during each voltage impulse thereof, and a rotary distributor mechanically synchronized with said generator arranged to periodically discharge said series connected condenser after each of said condensers has received a charging impulse from said output coil.

9. An ignition system comprising a breakerless magneto of the inductor type having an output coil in which voltages of alternating polarity are induced, a pair of series connected condensers, circuit means including rectifiers interconnecting said condensers and said output coil in such a manner that consecutive output-coil voltages of alternating polarity cause sequential charging of slid condensers, and a rotary distributor of the in]! type "mechanically synchronized with said geuemtor to periodically discharge said series mined-ed condensers after charging thereof through an ignition circuit to cause the high freqnency oscillatory discharge therein, a step-up tzusmnnerlhaving a primary winding connected to be energized by said ignition circuit and a secondary winding, and a spark plug having electlies connected to be energized from the secondn7 winding of said step-up transformer.

M. An ignition fl'stem comprising a magneto m a rotatable member and two output coils in which successive voltage impulses are induced mm rotation of said rotatable member, a first circuit means of the voltage doubling type includingn pair of condensers connected to one of said cufls so as to be sequentially charged by successive voltage impulses from said coil, a second circuit means of the voltage doubling type including a path at oomieosers connected to the other of said out so as to be sequentially charged by sueme voltage impulses from said other coil, a pair of distributors each of which comprises a set or stationary electrodes and .a cooperating rotatable finger member, means for rotating the fineer members or said distributors and said magneto rotatable member at a predetermined relati l: speed, the spacing between successive elecfinds nf each of said distributors being such that at least two voltage impulses are induced in the associated magneto coil during the time interval required vfor a distributor finger to move from a pmi'tiunopposite one electrode to a position opposite an adjacent electrode, means for connecting each pai'rof condensers respectively to a rotating flmer 0! one or :said distributors, and an ignition obnlnt associated with each distributor electrode whereby all of the ignition circuits may be periodiclally energized by discharge from said con- We in sequence or two at a time depending on whether said .dmtributor fingers are initially not in staggered or synchronized relation.

11. An ignition system comprising a magneto bning a rotatable member and two output coils in which successive impulse voltages are induced upon rotation oi said rotatable member, .a first circuit means of the voltage doubling type including 1. condenser means connected to one of said coils so as to be cumulatively charged by succesaive voltage impulses from the coil, a second circuit means of the voltage doubling type includ- I a condenser means connected to the other of said coils so as to be cumulatively "charged by We voltage impulses from said other coil, a pair of distributors each of which comprises a. let a! stationary electrodes and a cooperating rotatable finger member, means for rotating the finger members of said distributors and seldom neto rotatable member at a. predetermined relative speed, the spacing between said successive electrodes of each of said distributors being such that at least two voltage impulses are induced in each magneto coil during the time interval required for an associated distributor finger to move from the position opposite one electrode to a position opposite an adjacent electrode, means for connecting said first and second condenser means respectively to the rotating fingers of said distributors, and ignition circuits connected to the electrodes of said distributors whereby all of the ignition circuits may be periodically energized from said condenser means in sequence or two at a time depending on whether said distributor fingers are initially set in staggered or synchronized relation.

12. In combination, an alternating voltage generator, circuit means of the voltage doubling type coupled to said generator and receiving alternating voltage therefrom, said circuit means including condenser means charged to a direct voltage greater than the amplitude of said alternating voltage, and discharging circuit means synchronized with said generator for discharging said condenser means at periodic intervals at least as great as two half-cycles of said alternating voltage.

13. In an ignition system, a generator for proclucing voltage impulses of alternating polarity, aplurality of condensers connected series aiding, charging circuit means including rectifier means connected lrnetvveen said generator and said condensers for charging one of said condensers upon the production of a voltage impulse-of one polarity and for charging another of said condensers upon the production of a voltage impulse of another polarity, a distributor arranged to simultaneouslydischarge said series connected condensers, and synchronizing means for said generator and distributor, said last-mentioned means driving said distributor at a rate to discharge said condense-rs after each has received at least one charging impulse from said generator.

EDWARD F. WARGIN. JOSEPH R. HARKNESS. DONALD C. PEROUTKY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date l;093,072 Perkin Apr. 14, 1941 1,624,951 Holthouse Apr. 19, 1927 2,203,579 Randolph June 4, 1940 2,394,389 Lord Feb. 5, 1946 

